Spear shaft steel?

[DelawareDave]

I was Just Wondering what type of stainless steel is used for spear shafts? I know its spring steel, but there is about 10 different types of s/s that are considered spring steel. I have a metal lathe and mill in my shop, and with the amount of shafts I bend I figured it would save me some money to make my own. I already made one out of 304 s/s to see if I could do it in a reasonable amount of time, now I just need to know what type of s/s to use and were to get it? I have done a little research into it and 17-4PH S/S looks like A good candidate but would like to find something a little more inexpensive then aircraft quality S/S. Also if anyone knows a good suppler for S/S please let me know.

Thanks,

Davey

[azspearo]

17-4 is the material you want to use. Even in the annealed condition it's twice as strong as 304/316.
What diameter are you looking for. For a couple of shafts Speedy Metals has fair prices but sizes are limited.
It will come annealed and to get it to H900 condition(strongest) you will need to have it heat treated. H900 is a 1hr soak at 900.
If your looking for hardened shafts Ray Odors Hawaiian slings shafts can be had for a good price then you can machine your own.

[greekdiver]

Originally Posted by azspearo

17-4 is the material you want to use. Even in the annealed condition it's twice as strong as 304/316.
What diameter are you looking for. For a couple of shafts Speedy Metals has fair prices but sizes are limited.
It will come annealed and to get it to H900 condition(strongest) you will need to have it heat treated. H900 is a 1hr soak at 900.
If your looking for hardened shafts Ray Odors Hawaiian slings shafts can be had for a good price then you can machine your own.

Id like to make shafts for my modified pneumatic. The shafts i use now are from ray odor and i cut and modify them to work with my gun. I really just need a 9/32" rod thats 51 inches long, and i can do the rest..

[Fernando]

Originally Posted by DelawareDave

I was Just Wondering what type of stainless steel is used for spear shafts? I know its spring steel, but there is about 10 different types of s/s that are considered spring steel. I have a metal lathe and mill in my shop, and with the amount of shafts I bend I figured it would save me some money to make my own. I already made one out of 304 s/s to see if I could do it in a reasonable amount of time, now I just need to know what type of s/s to use and were to get it? I have done a little research into it and 17-4PH S/S looks like A good candidate but would like to find something a little more inexpensive then aircraft quality S/S. Also if anyone knows a good suppler for S/S please let me know.

Thanks,

Davey

DelawareDave, and what are the results of one you made of 304? It worked well or bent a lot?
I made some spears with 304, but any shoot against rocks i got a little bent spear.